Bible Briefs

J O H N   W.   M O O R E OUT OF CONTROL A tragic event occurred this past week outside an elementary school in Cordova, Tennessee, just outside of Memphis. An elderly woman, waiting in a line of cars to pick up her grandchild from school, inexplicably lost control of her vehicle, and ended up injuring at least seven children, two of which were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. When the car finally came to a stop against the wall of the school building, at least two of the children had been trapped underneath. As news of the incident came over the television and radio, frantic parents rushed to the school - all the while wondering if it was their own precious son or daughter who lay trapped underneath the wreckage. The whole incident was truly devastating and disturbing. Children were injured because someone, somehow, had lost control of their vehicle. In reflecting upon the tragedy of the event, I could not help but think of how everyday our world is faced with the devastation of injured children who suffer at the hands of adults who are out of control. Whether it is a parent, relative, teacher, caregiver, or coach, some adults have lost control and have ended up damaging our world’s most precious resource: our children. When adults lose control of their anger, when they give in to the addictions of drugs and alcohol, when they so carelessly break their marriage vows, their unrestrained behavior ends up hurting the children. God calls each one of us to a life of self-control (1 Cor. 9:27; Col. 3:5-10). His peace must rule in our hearts (Col. 3:15). His Spirit must dominate our lives (Gal.5:16f). Our thoughts and actions must be brought under His control (2 Cor. 10:3-5). Let us never emotionally or physically injure, cripple, or maim our children. Let us love, nurture and protect them (Eph. 6:4). They are a gift from God (Ps. 127:3).